Clancy Cash Harrison

Clancy Cash Harrison graduated from the Nutritional Sciences undergraduate program in August 1997. She currently lives in Forty Fort, Pennsylvania, and is a professional TEDx speaker and founder of the Food Dignity Movement and the Food Dignity podcast.

Why did you pursue a degree from Penn State Nutritional Sciences?

I have a deep passion for chemistry and biology and I have always been fascinated by how these two sciences work together to explain the processes that keep our bodies functioning. It felt like the perfect major for me in how it blends both subjects in a way that was not only engaging, but also meaningful. I have always enjoyed helping others and since food is something we all need every day, it felt like a natural fit. Understanding how nutrition impacts health and well-being paved the way for me to make a real difference in people’s lives.

How would you describe your current position and what impact(s) are you seeking to make?

As the founder of the Food Dignity Movement, a nonprofit organization, we buy local agriculture products at a fair price from our small, family-owned farms and connect their food to the people who need it the most. We established a resilient local food network that supports agriculture innovation, decreasing farm food loss while increasing the farm’s profits. Our approach to food waste and hunger relief is proactive, not reactive — creating food security for generations to come.

As a professional speaker and podcast host, I inspire leaders and organizations to rethink their approach to food, health and social responsibility. Through my keynotes, I challenge audiences to reflect on their assumptions, motivations and biases, encouraging them to drive meaningful change in their communities and beyond. Using these platforms elevates the voice of community-led organizations that create solutions to solve food security.

How did your degree from Penn State help you get to your current position?

My degree provided me with a comprehensive understanding of food systems and food security through multiple perspectives. I began my career as a food service director, working in some of the nation’s most underserved school districts. From there, I joined Penn State Cooperative Extension, followed by a job with the Center for Disease Control's Steps to a Healthier U.S. initiative. Both roles focused on driving meaningful change through policy and systemic improvements. Before founding the Food Dignity Movement, I dedicated 13 years as a volunteer at my local food pantry, gaining firsthand experience in food security.

My diverse experience has allowed me to witness hunger in various settings and identify critical issues within the charitable food banking system. The way I approach problems as a systems thinker, coupled with my professional and volunteer work, has equipped me with the tools to advocate for meaningful change. My overall mission is to drive progress toward sustainable food security for future generations and challenge the current systems that are not working for our most vulnerable populations.

What would you describe as the biggest opportunity and the biggest challenge in the field?

The greatest opportunity I see lies in the growing recognition of "food as medicine" and "food as health.” However, many leaders and organizations outside the dietetics field are positioning themselves as pioneers in this space, even though dietitians have been championing this work for years. With funding now available, dietitians must take the lead.

One of the greatest challenges is navigating a food system dominated by monopolized sectors. To move forward, we must embrace innovation and creativity to build resilient, community-centered food systems tailored to local needs. It’s time to rethink our approach, dismantle centralized monopolies, and advocate for solutions driven by the unique needs of each community. 

What advice do you have for other graduates just starting out?

My advice to any student is to cultivate a lifelong learning mindset—one that stays with you from now until retirement. As dietitians, we possess valuable knowledge, but that alone does not make us experts in someone’s personal experience. The more we dedicate ourselves to understanding the needs, challenges and achievements of those we support, the greater impact we have as communicators.